News in Brief: A summary of developments across Los Angeles County | Community News File / Hawthorne

Budget Crunch Forces Cuts in Police Programs

Still reeling from budget crises that forced the city to lay off about one-third of its staff earlier this month, Hawthorne police announced Friday that they have reorganized the department and plan to cut several community and special programs.

The department--which lost 53 employees, including 17 police officers--will eliminate its special enforcement team that targeted quality-of-life crimes such as graffiti and vandalism. It will also cut a gang and narcotics team and a unit that focused on ways to cut crime.

In addition, police have issued a new policy on service calls. Misdemeanor crime reports with no leads will no longer be taken, along with non-injury traffic accidents. Officials said the call priorities have been changed to ensure that the downsized organization will be able to handle emergency calls.